When a dog in Charleston County, South Carolina, became trapped inside a storm drain 120 feet above the Mississippi River, it seemed like certain death for the animal; that is, until a local deputy dove headfirst into the drain to rescue the pup.
Master Deputy Sara Hake was dispatched to the scene on Nov. 1, and she was one of the first to arrive. Without hesitation, she took charge of the situation.
After assessing the scene, Hake knew there was only one way to save the animals. A concrete slab covered the drain, making it difficult to reach the dogs.
So, she went into the storm drain headfirst.
Calling the dog to her, Hake managed to get the animal out.
Officials commended the officer for her actions but also advised against attempting a rescue like this one on one’s own.
“We know climbing into a storm drain around Halloween can make some a little nervous,” they joked, the news outlet reported. “So we thank Deputy Hake for meeting this challenge for the sake of a four-legged friend.”
It isn’t uncommon for dogs to become trapped in storm and sewage drains in South Carolina, and not all such cases end so happily. With heavy rainfall, the drains can become dangerous for animals that can’t get back out on their own.
In May this year, a dog named Maxine was rescued from a sewage drain near Columbia. It seemed like a happy ending, and it was reported on news outlets, until the golden retriever-red heeler mix tragically passed away two days later.
Meanwhile, some people mocked the response of donations that poured in to support the family.
Sheriff Leon Lott of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said, “Some people say it was just an animal. No. Anyone who has a dog knows they aren’t just animals. You saw people reach down deep in their hearts, deep in their souls to do something to help.”
